The Banten Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is currently intensifying mitigation efforts following the status upgrade of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) to Level III (Alert). This step was taken as a form of government preparedness in responding to ongoing volcanic activity in the Sunda Strait.
Head of the Banten Provincial BPBD, Lutfi Mujahidin, emphasized that neither the public nor tourists need to worry excessively. According to him, all coastal tourist areas, including Anyer and Carita, remain safe to visit. The government's main focus at present is strengthening cross-sectoral coordination with PVMBG, BMKG, TNI, and Polri to ensure early detection accuracy.
The local government has also prepared a well-planned mitigation strategy, including an early warning system that allows a 40-minute evacuation window or golden time should potential tsunami risks arise. In addition, rapid evacuation training has been periodically provided to the Water Tourism Rescue Agency (Balawista) stationed along the coastline to minimize risks for visitors.
Meanwhile, Volcano Observer from PVMBG, Anggi Nuryo Saputro, stressed the significant difference between Mount Anak Krakatau's current condition and the 2018 event. With its height now reduced to 158 meters above sea level (masl), the volcano's profile has changed substantially. Nevertheless, authorities strictly prohibit any activity within a three-kilometer radius of the active crater.
To date, tourism activities along the Banten coast continue as normal. Field observations show that popular destinations such as Bandulu Beach and Pandan Beach are still filled with tourists comfortably enjoying their holidays. The public is advised to continuously monitor official information through the MAGMA Indonesia channel and avoid being influenced by unverified reports.
